03/28, 10:25pm

Apps: UI Browser, HTTP Client, Soybo, ...

PreFab Software has released UI Browser 1.1, an update to its utility to help scripters write user interface scripts using Apple's new "GUI Scripting" technology for AppleScript in Mac OS X. Version 1.1 adds a new timesaving feature: hot keys to take a snapshot of the UI element currently under the mouse -- even if that application is in the background. Normally priced at $40, PreFab is offering an introductory price of $25 through April 19, 2003. [Download - 396KB]HTTP Client Deux Professional 1.1.2 is an update to Deep Sky Technologies' 4th Dimension component, which provides a comprehensive set of HTTP and HTTPS request methods for use throughout 4D based projects. "HTTP Client Deux Professional is geared towards companies that want to leverage their access to source for all of their systems." Registration is $200 for the first year, and $100 per year thereafter. Details of the release were not disclosed. [Download - 944KB]
Adam Tow announced today the availability of Soybo 1.0, a cross-platform and device-independent technology that allows applications to publish their functionality as Web services, accessible by any Internet-enabled device. "Imagine accessing the applications on your desktop computer from your mobile phone or handheld device," the developer says. Soybo takes a different approach to remote access by looking at the problem from an "application-centric," rather than a "computer-centric" standpoint. By enabling applications on the remote computer to publish their functionality as Web services, Soybo enables remote access on a wide range of Internet
devices, including desktop and laptop computers, handhelds, and mobile
phones. [Download - Site unavailable]
Griffin Technology has released PowerWave Control .05, free software that adds Volume, Input Gain, Bass and Treble control to the Mac when used with a PowerWave USB Audio Interface. This software gives sound shaping control to applications that previously had none - such as Web browsers streaming music or audio. PowerWave Control includes an adjustable input gain control. This allows users to adjust their sound input level when recording music or voice into the Mac. Other key features include the Treble, Bass and Bass Boost controls. [Download - 1.0MB]

03/28, 7:45pm

Pangea details upcoming \'Enigmo\'

Pangea Software today announced Enigmo, its latest Mac-original, Mac-only game. Enigmo is a 3D puzzle game where the player manipulates various streams of flowing liquid so that the droplets can reach their destination. Liquids (water, oil, and lava) fall from droppers, and will bounce off walls in a "visually stunning cascade." Pangea Software expects Enigmo to be available in mid April for $20. "Enigmo is the most unique and original game that Pangea Software has ever done, and it is a departure from our action-adventure games which we are known for," said Brian Greenstone, President of Pangea Software.

03/28, 5:20pm

Columnist praises Apple\'s latest offerings

George Emerson of the Globe and Mail says "Apple's newest desktops and laptops are probably the best personal computers ever made," in an article published today. Mr. Emerson notes that he was once a Windows-devotee, but has been thoroughly impressed by the new iMac and iBook computers he has tested for the last several months. Emerson credits the Mac for software and hardware reliability, and the iLife suite. "It's funny that Apple, which has traditionally had superior hardware, is stealing a march on software applications, Microsoft's game," he comments. Poor marks are awarded, however, to Apple's basic mouse and keyboard: "It's like buying a top-of-the-line Lexus and getting a hard plastic steering wheel."

03/28, 11:30am

MacSoft ships Master of Orion III

Destineer's MacSoft today announced that Master of Orion III for Macintosh is now shipping and will be available on some store shelves starting today. Master of Orion III is the sequel to one of the popular space strategy games: "players become the controlling power behind an entire galactic civilization and use dictators, presidents, councils, and overlords in their quest to become the Master of Orion." The turn-based strategy game offers real-time space battles, both single-player and multiplayer game play, and cross-platform compatibility. The $50 title runs on Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.

03/28, 10:40am

Apps: Still Life, Screen Query, DiVA...

Granded Software's Still Life 2.04 is a stand-alone application that enables users to pan and zoom over digital images and thereby produce a video for use in iMovie, iDVD or any other multimedia project. Version 2.04 of the $15 utility (limited time pricing) offers Italian language support as well as custom QuickTime export sizes and new bug fixes. [839KB]Screen Query 1.0 is a freeware utility that "assists you in testing your LCD or CRT monitor for 'bad' / 'stuck' pixels." It performs various test patterns to help diagnose a screen's pixels. [588KB]DiVA 1.0b4 is a high-speed, high-quality MPEG-2-to-QuickTime transcoder which features an all-YUV graphics pipeline and pro-level image scaling, for maximum image fidelity as well as a crop/scale panel and support for NTSC 3:2 pull-downs. Version 1.0b4 uses the new ITU display ratio for 704 pixel width movies, now saves the src and dst locations, support for .ts (not muxed) files as source, support for deinterlaced video, and better ffmpeg integration. [728KB]CubicConverter 2.0 converts various types of panoramic images into and out of cubic format QuickTime VR movies. It allows simple conversion of VR media and features the ability to convert equirectangular, cylindrical, cubic and mirrorball images to cubic format QuickTime VR movies, or convert "back from" existing movies to source equirectangular images and cube faces. The $70 application runs on Mac OS 9/X. [1.2MB]

03/28, 10:30am

Nikon releases Nikon View 6.01 software

Nikon has released Nikon View 6.01, an update to its bundled digital camera software. This version, while adding many changes, no longer supports serial computer connections, is no longer bundled with Cumulus filter, and no longer includes Nikon Viewer's Raw data display mode setting with its High speed and High quality options. Changes include a date/time stamping option, date-based selection of images, color management, date/time adjustment via the computer, JPEG export, CD-R support, new search functions, options to add/edit/delete phto tags, and other photo editing tools such as Red Eye Correction, a new sharpen tool, and tone adjustment. [free account and serial number required to download]

03/28, 10:20am

KB: battery life, PowerBook SCSI issue

Apple describes how to calibrate an iBook or PowerBook G4 battery for best performance, noting that the battery needs to be recalibrated from time to time to keep the onscreen battery time and percent display accurate. Another notes a SCSI ID problem with the PowerBook G3 (Bronze Keyboard) in host SCSI mode:

"PowerBook G3 (Bronze Keyboard) computers with Mac OS 9.2, 9.2.1, or 9.2.2 may unexpectedly use SCSI ID 0 when starting in SCSI Disk Mode. The PowerBook hard disk will not appear or be available to the host computer because the internal SCSI hard drive also uses SCSI ID 0.

"Solution: Prior to starting up in SCSI Disk Mode, use the PowerBook SCSI Setup control panel and set the SCSI ID to 6. This will result in the PowerBook using SCSI ID 5 instead of 0. The hard disk will be available to the host computer as long as SCSI ID 5 is not in use by another device in the SCSI chain. Important: Only SCSI ID 6 may be used as a workaround."

03/28, 10:10am

Apps: Marks Calendar, FLaunch, MachineWorks..

Marks Calendar 2.1 is a $25 shareware calendar application for Mac OS X. It adds a new week view, is now integrated with Mac OS X's Address Book, can auto-save changes, has new new import functions function for tab and comma delimited text files (and basic iCalendar files), includes a new Group function, and other features. [727KB]
Pariahware has released v1.2 of FLaunch, a Mac OS X utility
that gives users quick access to files via function keys. Each
function key may be assigned up to four applications, documents, or
other Finder resource. FLaunch is $5 shareware. A 30-day trial is available. [1.2MB]
MachineWorks will preview v6.0 of its leading MachineWorks technology at CIMT 2003 in Beijing, China. Version 6.0 brings Full Machine Modeling (FMM) capabilities, where it now features clash detection between all moving solids in the machining environment. MachineWorks technology is the leading CNC simulation and verification toolkit for manufacturing software developers and is designed to be integrated in CAM systems.
Pedagoguery Software has released Tess 1.52, a $36 Classic Mac application for exploring and creating tessellations and other symmetric artwork. The new version adds new colorspaces (HWB and RGB) to the interactive "Adjust Colors" window. [643KB]
appMac's sVideo 2.0 is a bundle of 3 applications that allow users to share a webcam or video camera feed over the internet, view up to 10 shared video feeds simultaneously, and create a community of users. The $60 suite of applications runs on Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X; audio support is planned for a future release. [9.9MB]
Bruno Blondeau has released Watcher'84, an automated web page watcher for Mac OS X. Watcher'84 monitors a list of favorites web pages and notifies the user when something gets updated on one of them. It is perfectly integrated to Mac OS X, is very easy to use, and features smart algorithms to only retrieve relevent content. It is $15 shareware. [287KB]

03/28, 7:00am

Sonnet debuts Allegro FireWire400 PCI card

Sonnet Technologies today introduced its Allegro FW400 FireWire PCI adapter card The Allegro FW400 installs into any available PCI slot of a Power Mac or PC, and instantly adds the FireWire (a.k.a. iLink, 1394a) connections needed to connect high-speed digital peripherals. Each card has three six-pin external FireWire ports, performs at the data transfer rate of up to 400 Mb/s, and can connect up to 63 devices. The $40 card is expected to ship at the end of the month.